Where can I find JUST a replacement brushed nicke shower faucet control?

February 4, 2013 9:01 AM

We are doing a little bathroom remodeling. Replacement floor and shower stall are set, but the installation people told us it would be cheaper if we bought our own shower heads. So I ordered this. I forgot to also order a shower faucet control. Help! What is what I need called, exactly, and where can I get it?
posted by bearwife to Home & Garden (8 answers total)

You need to figure out the manufacturer of the shower valve, and see if they make a BN handle and escutcheon for it.
posted by jon1270 at 9:14 AM on February 4, 2013

It's usually called a trim kit and it depends on what kind of rough-in plumbing you have in the walls. If you're replacing the plumbing too, you can buy a Delta rough-in and this trim.

I say this having replaced 3 bathrooms in the last year or so. I like Delta fixtures, but most companies will have rough-in valves and control trim available.
posted by GuyZero at 9:18 AM on February 4, 2013

Or did you mean you need the whole valve assembly, not just the cosmetic parts? In that case you need a shower valve / mixing valve AND a trim kit.
posted by jon1270 at 9:20 AM on February 4, 2013

Also, Amazon has this stuff, build.com has this stuff (I've used them and they're fine) and of course you can always poke around your local big-box store. If you've got old plumbing and you're not replacing it then often a local hardware store will have a better selection of random replacement knobs and valve kits - for example old Price Pfister stems, etc.
posted by GuyZero at 9:20 AM on February 4, 2013

Be aware that "brushed nickel" from one manufacturer does not always match "brushed nickel" from another manufacturer. Depending on how much you care about everything matching, you'll need to be careful about what you buy.
posted by primethyme at 9:26 AM on February 4, 2013

Response by poster: Very confused, sorry. We have a working shower control now, but it is gold colored. What do I need to buy so installers of new stall can add a replacement in a similar brushed steel shade? My Google fu is not helping me find the shower head manufacturer's options.

Should I just return my shower head order and buy a complete shower head and shower control set?
posted by bearwife at 11:40 AM on February 4, 2013

Best answer: Are you replacing the plumbing behind the tile? Or are you keeping the tile and everything behind it?

If you're replacing everything you need the stuff I described before.

If you're keeping plumbing & tile then you knust need a new knob that fits the existing stuff. My suggestion is to take the knobs off and go to your local Home Depot or Lowes and they will have a selection of stuff that matches your fittings.
posted by GuyZero at 11:45 AM on February 4, 2013

Response by poster: There's no tile, just a shower stall that is fading fast and the plumbing behind it. We plan to replace the shower stall entirely, but not the plumbing. Sounds like we won't know what we need in terms of a knob until they do the tear out.

Thanks for putting up with my uninformed questions. There is a reason I am hiring this out!
posted by bearwife at 2:51 PM on February 4, 2013